OWA-NAS/new label

I really wish everyone would back off a bit on the OWA NAS/new label thing. It has been explained that the juice is still 7 years old. If you don't want to believe it, fine. At least give things a chance. It seems like a lot of folks are panicking and getting up in arms for no apparent reason. And yes, I am aware of what has happened with different labels in the past. Buy a bottle of each and have someone help you do a blind test. See if you can tell the difference. If it's noticeably different to the point that you can pick the new label out blindly (several times in a row), then panic and complain. Till then, step back and let things run their course. Like I said, at least give it a chance. Joe

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

The problem that I see is not what is in there now. I fully believe it is 7 yrs and may well be into the future. The only problem I have is that obviously BT "plans" on it being less that 7 yrs old at some point. Otherwise they would have put the age statement on there. I hope they never do, but if they had intentions to leave it at 7 yrs, they would have put it on the bottle like the SR.

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

Originally Posted by birdman1099

The problem that I see is not what is in there now. I fully believe it is 7 yrs and may well be into the future. The only problem I have is that obviously BT "plans" on it being less that 7 yrs old at some point. Otherwise they would have put the age statement on there. I hope they never do, but if they had intentions to leave it at 7 yrs, they would have put it on the bottle like the SR.

The same is true with Wild Turkey 8 yr. It went to Old # 8 and was teh same juice for a couple years... then 2 yrs went by and the slide started... by the time it was just plane 101 it was nothing like the 8 yr.

From a BT standpoint, it makes good since. They can not play with this label as they need. The will not change it for at least a yr, but I have a nickel that it will change...

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

Maybe there is a silver lining, BT might hold the price on the Weller 12yo and there has been some speculation that they might bring back Centennial because it has not been removed from their www.greatbourbon.com website.

Man, wouldn't that be cool if Centennial and OCProprierter's Reserve made a come back?!?!

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

Originally Posted by fishnbowljoe

I really wish everyone would back off a bit on the OWA NAS/new label thing. It has been explained that the juice is still 7 years old. If you don't want to believe it, fine. At least give things a chance. It seems like a lot of folks are panicking and getting up in arms for no apparent reason. And yes, I am aware of what has happened with different labels in the past. Buy a bottle of each and have someone help you do a blind test. See if you can tell the difference. If it's noticeably different to the point that you can pick the new label out blindly (several times in a row), then panic and complain. Till then, step back and let things run their course. Like I said, at least give it a chance. Joe

Joe is right. We all need to chill a bit. The reality is that the days of the big bourbon glut are over... along with plentiful stocks of very cheap, aged distillate. Distillers will rationalize their products lines; ultra niche bottlings like Centennial are gone, perhaps forever. We still have, by all objective standards, a plethora of excellent bourbons to choose from, in a variety of age expressions. Greater variety and quality than in most days past (contrary to some of the romanticism for the "good old days").

I would love for the world to stay the same. Hell, I'd love to see dollar gas and the nickel Coke. But the world has changed. Deal with it.... until the next glut occurs.

Last edited by jburlowski; 10-11-2009 at 16:40.

John B

"Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at all seasons… that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals."

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

Originally Posted by birdman1099

The problem that I see is not what is in there now. I fully believe it is 7 yrs and may well be into the future. The only problem I have is that obviously BT "plans" on it being less that 7 yrs old at some point. Otherwise they would have put the age statement on there. I hope they never do, but if they had intentions to leave it at 7 yrs, they would have put it on the bottle like the SR.

Joe, you are correct that it's been explained that the juice is still 7 years old and I don't think anyone is disputing that fact. The issue, one I've already pointed out as did birdman is what this does to future bottlings. Emerald made the historical case with the change to the WT label from an age statement to NAS and the slide in age that happened a couple years later. I can attest to the fact as I've had both the 8 year and multiple Old No. 8 WT and there is a difference and not for the better. This is not a bunch of snobs beating up BT but the outlet of frustration over a label that was well liked by many and the potential reduction of age in the future. Maybe BT keeps 7 years in the bottle for years to come and good for them but then again maybe not. Again, you're correct that folks should do a side by side comparison and if you can't tell the difference, then so what. But the simple truth is, if BT reduces the age, there will be a difference and with wheat bourbons, going younger isn't always a good thing.

“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” - P.J. O’Rourke Greg's "bourbondork" blog

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

Originally Posted by jburlowski

Joe is right. We all need to chill a bit. The reality is that the days of the big bourbon glut are over... along with plentiful stocks of very cheap, aged distillate. Distillers will rationalize their products lines; ultra niche bottlings like Centennial are gone, perhaps forever. We still have, by all objective standards, a plethora of excellent bourbons to choose from, in a variety of age expressions. Greater variety and quality than in most days past (contrary to some of the romanticism for the "good old days").

I would love for the world to stay the same. Hell, I'd love to see dollar gas and the nickel Coke. But the world has changed. Deal with it.... until the next glut occurs.

John, I agree to a point. My concern is that many distillery's are now doing these one off and boutique bottlings, something not done 15+ years ago where all the juice went into standard labels. Now, the aged stuff is getting held back and used in super premium bottlings. Maybe the amount is insignificant in the grand scheme of all things bourbon, but it certainly makes me pause and ask the question. What is the net affect of premium bottlings having on the standard shelf offerings?

“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” - P.J. O’Rourke Greg's "bourbondork" blog

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

Originally Posted by ggilbertva

John, I agree to a point. My concern is that many distillery's are now doing these one off and boutique bottlings, something not done 15+ years ago where all the juice went into standard labels. Now, the aged stuff is getting held back and used in super premium bottlings. Maybe the amount is insignificant in the grand scheme of all things bourbon, but it certainly makes me pause and ask the question. What is the net affect of premium bottlings having on the standard shelf offerings?

I would guess: very little. Most premium offerings are miniscule in volume compared to the cases sold by the standard offerings. I think the distillers are doing the best they can (for their shareholders and customers in both the short and long term) with the stocks they have on hand.

Accurately predicting demand and producing accordingly is difficult... hell, damn near impossible; particularly for products that are aged 7, 10, or more years.

I think the next (mini) glut will come relatively soon. Based on recent demand, all producers have recently ramped up production. With the impact of the recesssion (particularly for more expensive, aged product) likely to linger for years and recovery coming only slowly at best, I woudn't be surprised to see a "surplus" in five or six years.

John B

"Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at all seasons… that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals."

Re: OWA-NAS/new label

I agree and I think it may be what saves the OWA label. If we see a mini glut, that may cause a return of the 7 yr juice. If you are making it at least X yrs, you are going to take credit for it....

As an odd add in to the WT history, the late 93 juice in the Old # 8 is actually better than the 8 yr juice from 88-90. The 91-92 8 yr is great and the 92-94 8yr and Old # 8 are some of the best WT ever made.... Maybe we will see surge of better juice with the new label to sell it on us... I do beleive this was the concept with WT... so, by early and often the new label